April 1, 2026
Shed occupation policy to be reviewed
Dungog Shire

Shed occupation policy to be reviewed

MAYOR Digby Rayward has put forward a Mayoral Minute seeking Dungog Shire Council to review its policy relating to the residential occupation of sheds. The current policy, adopted in 2001 and re-adopted in 2003, requires applicants to have full development and construction approvals for a dwelling before permission can be granted to temporarily live in […]

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Disaster assistance activated for flood affected local government areas
Community, Health

Disaster assistance activated for flood affected local government areas

THE Albanese and Minns Governments have activated disaster assistance to communities in Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the Hunter and Mid North Coast following severe weather, including heavy rainfall. The NSW Government’s Natural Disaster Declaration applies to the LGAs of Bellingen, Central Coast, Cessnock, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Kempsey, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, MidCoast, Nambucca, […]

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Fodder drops provide lifeline to flooded farmers Fodder is being air-dropped to farmers in need.
Community

Fodder drops provide lifeline to flooded farmers

HELICOPTERS have provided isolated farmers with emergency fodder for their stranded livestock, as part of a range of support available to flood-affected farmers across the Mid North Coast, North Coast and Hunter. As of midday Saturday, 24 May, there had been 43 helicopter aerial drops of fodder, and nearly 131 emergency fodder drops by other […]

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Fifth death linked to floods as body found in burnt car More than 1600 flood damage claims have already been made, the Insurance Council of Australia says. Photo: Lindsay Moller/AAP PHOTOS.
National

Fifth death linked to floods as body found in burnt car

A FIFTH person died in a region devastated by floods after dangerous conditions prevented emergency crews from accessing a home. The body of a man believed to be in his 80s was found inside a burnt-out vehicle in the shed of a Cooplacurripa property, about 50km north-west of Taree. A concern for welfare had been […]

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Origin enforcer playing for flood-ravaged hometown NSW Blue Mitch Barnett is heartbroken by the flood damage on the mid-north coast where he was born. Photo: Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS.
Sport

Origin enforcer playing for flood-ravaged hometown

AFTER the siren sounds on the State of Origin series opener, Mitch Barnett hopes to roll up his sleeves and lend a hand on NSW’s flood-ravaged mid-north coast. Warriors co-captain Barnett has had to watch from afar as flood waters ravaged the Manning Valley area where he was born and raised, and where his parents […]

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Why Blues want Newcastle venue to be made permanent Yasmin Clydsdale (c) expects thousands to watch the Blues lift the Origin trophy. Photo: Dave Hunt/AAP
Sport

Why Blues want Newcastle venue to be made permanent

FOR second-rower Yasmin Clydsdale bad weather in the Hunter has more impact than just keeping footy fans away from game three of women’s Origin. The recent deluge on NSW’s mid-north coast has stopped Clydsdale’s husband Adam from being able to cross a creek to get to their cows on their farm in the upper Hunter. […]

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Regional collaboration key for airport expansion Representatives from Singleton, Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Cessnock, Dungog and Newcastle councils attended the airport tour.
Government, Regional

Regional collaboration key for airport expansion

MAYORS and council general managers from across the Hunter took an exclusive tour of Newcastle Airport’s international terminal development on Monday 12 May. The local governments represented are members of the Hunter Joint Organisation (HJO), a collaborative body that brings together the ten councils in the region. The tour was led by Newcastle Airport Director […]

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‘On the couch’ with Jasminda
Jasminda's Advice

‘On the couch’ with Jasminda

DEAR Jasminda, THE other night, my brother-in-law invited himself over for dinner. However, I had not prepared enough for him (as he was unannounced), and he got annoyed and left. Now he won’t reply to either my husband’s or my messages. How do you suggest I go about this? Normine B Dear Normine, I’m picking […]

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The Big Screen
Film

The Big Screen

THERE is only one notable release in Australian cinemas this week, though it’s likely to be on a fair few “Top 10” lists come the end of 2025. Lilo & Stitch gets the live-action adaptation treatment from Disney. It follows the adventures of the alien “Experiment 626” after he crashes in Hawaii and is adopted […]

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